Why does Antigone state she wouldn’t have defied the edict if the deceased was her husband or child?

Antigone's assertion that she would not have defied the edict if the deceased were her husband or child reflects her complex understanding of familial attachment and societal expectations. In this context, she highlights the notion that certain relationships, particularly those involving a spouse or child, carry a weight of emotional and social consequence that is not as pronounced in the case of her brother, Polynices.

By stating that she could marry again, Antigone suggests that the bonds formed through marriage or motherhood are both significant and perhaps more replaceable in society's eyes than sibling relationships. In ancient Greek culture, the duty to honor one’s parents or children is paramount, and thus, violating an edict related to them would lead to harsher societal repercussions, not only for herself but also for how she is perceived as a woman and a member of her family. In contrast, her bond with her brother, while significant in its own right, does not carry the same societal weight as the bonds of marriage or parenthood.

Antigone's willingness to confront the consequences of burying her brother stems from this belief in the singularity of sibling loyalty and the urgency of the circumstances, illustrating her fierce commitment to familial duty regardless of societal constraints. This perspective fosters